Unifocalization with pericardial roll technique in pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries

Objective This study aims to compare both the pericardial roll technique with the patch augmentation technique of the unifocalization, and single‐stage complete repair with the unifocalization and shunt for the repair of the ventricular septal defect, pulmonary atresia, and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries. Methods This was a retrospective review of the 48 patients undergoing unifocalization of the ventricular septal defect, pulmonary atresia, and major aorticopulmonary collateral arteries from a single center. Our cohort had two surgical pathways, including single‐stage midline unifocalization (n = 40), unifocalization after pulmonary artery rehabilitation by creating an aortopulmonary window or central shunt (n = 8). There were two surgical techniques in single‐stage midline unifocalizaton, including widening of the pulmonary arteries with a patch (n = 30), and connecting pulmonary arteries with a pericardial roll (n = 10). Results A total of 14 (29.2%) of 48 patients underwent single‐stage complete repair, 26 patients underwent shunt palliation with unifocalization. Combined early and late mortality was seen in seven patients in those who underwent shunt palliation with unifocalization, while it was seen in one patient in those who underwent a single‐stage complete repair (mortality ratio 26.8% vs. 7.1%, p = .22). There was no statistically significant difference between the pericardial roll and patch augmentation techniques in terms of pulmonary artery reintervention (p = .65). Although all pulmonary artery reinterventions were for unilateral pulmonary artery in the roll technique group, 41.7% of reinterventions were for bilateral pulmonary arteries in the pericardial augmentation group. Conclusion Single‐stage complete repair of the ventricular septal defect, pulmonary atresia, and major aorticopulmonary collateral arteries has better results than unifocalization with a shunt. In terms of nonvaluable raw material, the use of the pericardial roll technique is a considerable alternative for unifocalization.